Mulayam Singh Yadav

Championing the socialist ideology

Mulayam Singh Yadav is an Indian Politician and the top leader of Samajwadi Party in the State of Uttar Pradesh. He has served as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh for three terms and has been elected to Lok Sabha as a Member of Parliament (MP) for six terms. He was also appointed Union Cabinet Minister for Defence during the United Front government. Mulayam Singh Yadav is a visionary leader, who started his journey at the grassroots level and went on to become the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. He is respectfully called ‘Netaji’ by party workers, as he continues to work tirelessly for social upliftment of the poor, backward and socially weaker sections of society.

Early Life and Education

Mulayam Singh Yadav was born in Saifai on Nov 22, 1939 to Sughar Singh Yadav and Murti Devi. Saifai is a small village in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. Mulayam Singh Yadav’s education qualifications include B.A., B.T. and M.A. in Political Science. The educational institutions he attended include K.K. College, Etawah, A.K. College, Shikohabad and B.R. College, Agra University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. He married twice; the second time after his first wife, Malti Devi, died in May 2003. His second wife’s name is Sadhna Gupta Yadav. From his first marriage, he has a single child, Akhilesh Yadav, who was elected Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2012.

Early Political Career

In his youth, Mulayam Singh was greatly influenced by the socialist ideology of Ram Manohar Lohia. This motivated him to join the socialist movement in the 1950s, which was primarily focused on fighting for farmers’ rights. Later, after working with leaders such as Sarvashri Madhu Limaye, Karpoori Thakur, Ram Sewak Yadav, Raj Narayan and Janeshwar Mishra, he made the decision to join mainstream politics.

Political Career

In his political journey, Mulayam Singh was jailed nine times during different agitations for the protection of rights and welfare of farmers, laborers, youth, students, minorities and backward classes. He launched the Samajwadi Party in October 1992, which had Ram Manohar Lohia’s socialist ideology at its core. During his tenure as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mulayam Singh made efforts to ensure that poor and backward sections of the society can live in harmony with others. He also ensured that everyone, irrespective of their religion, caste, or social background, can contribute towards the growth and development of the State.

1967 – 1996: Member, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (Eight Terms)

1989 – 1991: Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh

1993 – 1995: Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh (2nd term)

1996: Elected to 11th Lok Sabha

1996 – 1998: Union Cabinet Minister, Defence

1998: Re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha (2nd term)

1999: Re-elected to 13th Lok Sabha (3rd term)

2003 – 2007: Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh (3rd term)

2004: Re-elected to 14th Lok Sabha( 4th term)

2009: Re-elected to 15th Lok Sabha (5th term)

2014: Re-elected to 16th Lok Sabha (6th term)

Personal pursuits

Mulayam Singh Yadav has interests in reading, wrestling and listening to music.